Fushë-Arrëz, Albania
Sustainable forest management relies not only on written policies but also on the technical expertise of the professionals responsible for implementing them. To further strengthen these capacities, CNVP Foundation – Connecting Natural Values & People, in cooperation with the National Forest Agency of Albania and the Faculty of Forestry Sciences, organized a two-day technical training for municipal forestry staff from across the Drin River Basin.
The training brought together forestry specialists from the municipalities of Malësi e Madhe, Shkodër, Vau i Dejës, Pukë, Fushë-Arrëz, Kukës, Has, Tropojë, Dibër and Bulqizë, providing a platform to enhance technical knowledge, exchange practical experiences and promote a more harmonized approach to sustainable forest management.
The program focused on several key topics essential for improving municipal forest management. Participants explored the preparation of operational forest management plans, with particular emphasis on planning forest utilization following the lifting of the forestry moratorium. They also strengthened their knowledge on the development of forest management plans, combining field data collection with office-based planning through the ALFIS digital information system. Another important component addressed the role of forests in erosion prevention, soil protection, and sustainable water resource management, highlighting the critical contribution forests make to climate resilience and ecosystem stability.
Beyond the workshop, the training included practical field exercises where participants carried out dendrometric measurements, collected forest inventory data, and applied modern methodologies used in forest management planning. These hands-on sessions encouraged technical discussions, peer-to-peer learning, and the exchange of best practices among forestry professionals from different municipalities.
By combining theoretical knowledge with practical application, the training contributed to strengthening institutional capacities and promoting more effective, evidence-based forest management practices throughout the Drin River Basin. Investing in the expertise of local forestry professionals is a key step toward healthier forests, more resilient landscapes, and sustainable livelihoods for the communities that depend on them.
The training was organized within the framework of the “Integrated Forest Management Along the Drin River Basin” (IFM) project, a three-year regional initiative implemented by CNVP Foundation in Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Montenegro. The project is funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) as part of “International Partnership Austria” and initiated by the Austrian NGO ICEP – Institute for Global Development.
Through innovative approaches, capacity building, and regional cooperation, the project aims to strengthen integrated forest management practices while enhancing the resilience of ecosystems and local communities across the Drin River Basin.
